Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere Ekun has charged judicial officers to do everything in their power to sustain public confidence in the courts, telling delegates at the 2026 International Bar Association Judges’ Forum in Abuja that trust in the judiciary rests on the conduct of judges themselves, not merely on constitutional protections.
Justice has never been self executing, Kekere Ekun said, arguing it depends on courageous institutions and principled individuals willing to uphold the rule of law even when doing so is difficult, unpopular or politically inconvenient, since the administration of justice demands far more than simply applying legal rules. Justice ultimately requires wisdom, empathy, independence of thought and moral courage, she said, qualities that remain uniquely human, adding that judicial independence carries a corresponding obligation of accountability, since public confidence rests on integrity, competence, diligence, restraint, transparency and ethical leadership, the foundations on which judicial legitimacy stands, meaning every judicial officer must continually work to justify the trust society places in the courts.
Kekere Ekun extended a similar charge to lawyers, describing them not merely as representatives of private interests but as officers of the court and guardians of the rule of law, arguing that justice flourishes only where judges and advocates share a common commitment to professionalism, civility, ethical conduct and respect for the judicial process, since the partnership between bench and bar is fundamental to preserving justice itself. The defence of justice is not the responsibility of judges alone, she said, it belongs equally to lawyers, academics, policymakers, civil society and every citizen who believes liberty, equality and human dignity are best preserved under the rule of law, since justice endures only when those entrusted with its stewardship remain vigilant in its protection. She called the conference theme, In Defence of Justice, both timely and profoundly significant, inviting participants to reflect not just on the administration of justice but on the enduring responsibility every judge and lawyer carries to preserve the ideals underpinning civilised society, adding that discussions on judicial independence, fairness, judicial education, artificial intelligence and judicial appointments would enrich collective understanding while offering practical, comparative lessons to strengthen institutions across different legal systems.
